Iowa 77, Illinois 65 POSTGAME

#76      
Without '9 observations' how the heck do I know how well we played?

1. JCL's a tremendous 3-point shooter. Just gotta take the next step now and develop the ability to put the ball on the floor. That'll be next offseason's project.

2. MM had another solid offensive outing. He just had no help whatsoever on the defensive glass.

3. Can't win giving up so many offensive boards. Hoping we see MF and MM play more together like they did at MN.

4. KN was off all game. Poor shot selection and didn't play with much energy. The injury, new fatherhood, a draining 3-OT win at RU and ?? were a bad mix.

5. MH was OK today, but he struggles against more athletic frontlines like MSU and Iowa.

6. Our PG production again was nearly nonexistent. Two combined points from KL and JT, and KL's propensity for missing easy shots and taking the occasional ill-advised shot is frustrating.

7. Iowa has good talent but great team chemistry. They have a nice mix of talent in the starting lineup with wings who can shoot from 3 and drive, good big men who can post up and crash the boards and quickness, savvy and good handles in the backcourt. This has to be McCaffrey's best coaching job because I don't think this is close to the most talented team in the country, though it's now one of the best.

8. DJW had his best showing as an Illini IMHO. He has something that we sorely lack: a nice combo of length and athleticism. He played 15 mins today. Hope that trend continues.

9. We never seemed like a serious threat to Iowa today for obvious reasons, but the guys continued to fight till the last couple of minutes. On to NW, where despite our injuries we seem to have plenty of talent to snag a win in Evanston. But it won't happen unless KN rights his ship and put together a more concerted effort on D and the boards. We'll also need MH to play well offensively. We have six days between games, so that'll give time for MF, KN and others to rest up and heal up for this one and for the staff to put together a game plan for slowing down McIntosh and Demps. Fortunately we seem to match up pretty well with the Cats. They aren't a dominant inside team like Iowa. Hopefully we come away with a W to give the program a bright spot in a disappointing season. Go Illini!
 
#77      
With the dysfunctional roster that we have, I watch the games not expecting a win. What I watch for is a sliver of hope for next year and beyond. I have seen a few slivers to give me hope. The offensive showing of Maverick might give us a serviceable post presence for stretches next year. We need an inside scorer to keep defenses honest. Would be great to see DJW continue to develop because, as HOC notes, we need that athleticism around the hoop. Love what I am seeing from JCL, he can continue to be sharp shooter while he works on dribble drive. Finke does some good things but he has seemed to hit a wall recently. Hopefully Abrams and Black can get healthy and we can be a top 40 team next year!
 
#78      
The more talented team, more athletic team, the longer team, and more mature team won the ballgame today. I do not fault the effort of the Illini. They have to use this as a learning experience and move on.
 
#79      

IlliniRunIn07

Tampa, FL
1. JCL's a tremendous 3-point shooter. Just gotta take the next step now and develop the ability to put the ball on the floor. That'll be next offseason's project.

2. MM had another solid offensive outing. He just had no help whatsoever on the defensive glass.

3. Can't win giving up so many offensive boards. Hoping we see MF and MM play more together like they did at MN.

4. KN was off all game. Poor shot selection and didn't play with much energy. The injury, new fatherhood, a draining 3-OT win at RU and ?? were a bad mix.

5. MH was OK today, but he struggles against more athletic frontlines like MSU and Iowa.

6. Our PG production again was nearly nonexistent. Two combined points from KL and JT, and KL's propensity for missing easy shots and taking the occasional ill-advised shot is frustrating.

7. Iowa has good talent but great team chemistry. They have a nice mix of talent in the starting lineup with wings who can shoot from 3 and drive, good big men who can post up and crash the boards and quickness, savvy and good handles in the backcourt. This has to be McCaffrey's best coaching job because I don't think this is close to the most talented team in the country, though it's now one of the best.

8. DJW had his best showing as an Illini IMHO. He has something that we sorely lack: a nice combo of length and athleticism. He played 15 mins today. Hope that trend continues.

9. We never seemed like a serious threat to Iowa today for obvious reasons, but the guys continued to fight till the last couple of minutes. On to NW, where despite our injuries we seem to have plenty of talent to snag a win in Evanston. But it won't happen unless KN rights his ship and put together a more concerted effort on D and the boards. We'll also need MH to play well offensively. We have six days between games, so that'll give time for MF, KN and others to rest up and heal up for this one and for the staff to put together a game plan for slowing down McIntosh and Demps. Fortunately we seem to match up pretty well with the Cats. They aren't a dominant inside team like Iowa. Hopefully we come away with a W to give the program a bright spot in a disappointing season. Go Illini!

Good recap. There were definitely positives, even in a double digit loss. JCL will be (or already is?) a stud. DJW finally showed some potential. Can he bring that type of energy consistently? He seemed to be everywhere for stretches of today's game. Mav is improving everywhere, unfortunately he still needs major improvement in defense in rebounding....but dare I say his defense was OK yesterday?! His offense was definitely much appreciated yesterday. KN is in a slump, he will come out of it, but this season is a wash. No one got hurt!!!
 
#80      

Illinithad

Northeast Missouri
With the dysfunctional roster that we have, I watch the games not expecting a win. What I watch for is a sliver of hope for next year and beyond. I have seen a few slivers to give me hope. The offensive showing of Maverick might give us a serviceable post presence for stretches next year. We need an inside scorer to keep defenses honest. Would be great to see DJW continue to develop because, as HOC notes, we need that athleticism around the hoop. Love what I am seeing from JCL, he can continue to be sharp shooter while he works on dribble drive. Finke does some good things but he has seemed to hit a wall recently. Hopefully Abrams and Black can get healthy and we can be a top 40 team next year!


It reminds me of the 1998-99 season when they went 14-18. They were in a lot of games but didn't have enough to get over the hump and win many of them. We (fans) knew that next year with the guys we had coming back and the people coming in we were going to be much better. They went 22-10 the next year.
The parallel with this year is I think with the guys returning and the guys coming in (and back from injuries) we will be better. But I'm an optimist, so obviously I don't belong on this board. :D
 
#81      

illynifan34

That's a winner!!
OH
It reminds me of the 1998-99 season when they went 14-18. They were in a lot of games but didn't have enough to get over the hump and win many of them. We (fans) knew that next year with the guys we had coming back and the people coming in we were going to be much better. They went 22-10 the next year.
The parallel with this year is I think with the guys returning and the guys coming in (and back from injuries) we will be better. But I'm an optimist, so obviously I don't belong on this board. :D

We haven't been in many of our games.
 
#82      
We haven't been in many of our games.

Well, I'd say that there were many games this year where we showed glimpses of being capable of being a really good team. Right there with Providence, Iowa State, and some other really good teams. Obviously, some really crappy teams have really good games against really good teams, so maybe that is really us, but I tend to think we were on the brink of being a good team, without the injuries and such.

:shield:
 
#83      
It reminds me of the 1998-99 season when they went 14-18. They were in a lot of games but didn't have enough to get over the hump and win many of them. We (fans) knew that next year with the guys we had coming back and the people coming in we were going to be much better. They went 22-10 the next year.
The parallel with this year is I think with the guys returning and the guys coming in (and back from injuries) we will be better. But I'm an optimist, so obviously I don't belong on this board. :D

As I and many others have stated, there are few comparisons between this team and the 98-99 team. In general, 98 was a 1 year aberration that followed a Big Ten Championship rather than the complete collapse we saw last year. Beyond the differences on the court, we have neither Frank Williams or Marcus Griffin showing up next year.
 
#84      

Tevo

Wilmette, IL
More DJW and AJ, please. Less Lewis and Tate.

I thought AJ looked pretty bad tonight. Each time we had Iowa shooters wide open, I'd stop and rewind to see whose guy it was and why he was so open. Most of the time, the Illini player who should have been guarding the shooter was over guarding someone else who had beaten the Illini down the court, or who had gotten open via a pick. When AJ was in, it was often his guy who was open on the floor, causing someone else to switch over to help, leaving the eventual shooter wide open.

Defense is all about the team, and we have too many guys either not getting back, not hustling to cover their guy, or getting lost on switches, leaving two Illini guarding one guy who no longer has the ball. Everyone has to commit to the same level of effort on defense, and everyone has to trust each other. Once you have that, you then also need everyone on the same page as to who is the help, where it's coming from, and where you need to go if there's a switch. We don't seem to have any of those qualities yet.
 
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#85      

Illinithad

Northeast Missouri
As I and many others have stated, there are few comparisons between this team and the 98-99 team. In general, 98 was a 1 year aberration that followed a Big Ten Championship rather than the complete collapse we saw last year. Beyond the differences on the court, we have neither Frank Williams or Marcus Griffin showing up next year.


No, but we will (if healthy) have more depth, which is hurting us, more rebounding with Leron Black, which is killing us, a better point guard in Tracy Abrams and maybe Lucas than we have now, a group of freshmen (Michael Finke, JCL, Aaron Jordan and D.J. Williams) who will all come back as sophomores with more experience than expected. We'll have the addition of Kipper Nichols (which I have no idea what impact that will have). Add all that to the upperclassmen, and dare I say, we might have a good season.
 
#86      
Somebody already said it, but I have no desire to see Tate or Lewis on the floor outside of a blowout or their respective senior nights. Both guys work REALLY hard and give their all to the team, but just don't have enough to give.
.


Agreed. Been following the season stats on these two, rather grim.

Do other universities recruit point guards who are not particularly good shooters or passers?
 
#87      
6. Our PG production again was nearly nonexistent. Two combined points from KL and JT, and KL's propensity for missing easy shots and taking the occasional ill-advised shot is frustrating.

This has become the most frustrating thing for me! Groce loves to use the quote about continuing to do the same thing and expect different results...but this is exactly what we continue to do. Why not try a lineup without Tate or Lewis in?
 
#88      
This has become the most frustrating thing for me! Groce loves to use the quote about continuing to do the same thing and expect different results...but this is exactly what we continue to do. Why not try a lineup without Tate or Lewis in?

He's probably tried this out in practice, and if it doesn't work there, there's no chance he'll run it in a game unless we're out of bodies.
 
#89      
We haven't been in many of our games.
This is just flat-out inaccurate. The following games were decided by 5 points or less:

Providence (1 pt)
Chattanooga (4 pts)
Notre Dame (5 pts)
tOSU (2 pts)
tOSU again (5 pts)

Flip those tOSU games and we're tied with Nebraska in the league right behind Wisconsin, which I would describe as exactly in line with what the group is capable of. Right now we're slightly underperforming.

Flip those other games and we have two resumé wins.
 
#90      
He's probably tried this out in practice, and if it doesn't work there, there's no chance he'll run it in a game unless we're out of bodies.

And we all know that practice results and game results are the same.

(not directed at you.)

I'm actually being sarcastic and trying to call out Groce on this, but in reality, I know that if a player can't do it in practice, the likelihood he will be able to do it in a game is rather slim, but at this point, I see no reason that we can't play with no real point guard and develop AJ and DJW by giving them minutes in games.
 
#91      
As I and many others have stated, there are few comparisons between this team and the 98-99 team. In general, 98 was a 1 year aberration that followed a Big Ten Championship rather than the complete collapse we saw last year. Beyond the differences on the court, we have neither Frank Williams or Marcus Griffin showing up next year.

The biggest difference was that the 98-99 team was healthy.
 
#92      

illynifan34

That's a winner!!
OH
This is just flat-out inaccurate. The following games were decided by 5 points or less:

Providence (1 pt)
Chattanooga (4 pts)
Notre Dame (5 pts)
tOSU (2 pts)
tOSU again (5 pts)

Flip those tOSU games and we're tied with Nebraska in the league right behind Wisconsin, which I would describe as exactly in line with what the group is capable of. Right now we're slightly underperforming.

Flip those other games and we have two resumé wins.
40% of our loses is many or a lot?
 
#93      
This is just flat-out inaccurate. The following games were decided by 5 points or less:

Providence (1 pt)
Chattanooga (4 pts)
Notre Dame (5 pts)
tOSU (2 pts)
tOSU again (5 pts)

Flip those tOSU games and we're tied with Nebraska in the league right behind Wisconsin, which I would describe as exactly in line with what the group is capable of. Right now we're slightly underperforming.

Flip those other games and we have two resumé wins.

Of course, we also have 5 wins by 5 points or fewer. 6 if you count the Rutgers game that we won by 9 in 3 OTs.

I've actually been happy with the team the last couple of games, but this team is where they belong in the standings.
 
#94      
40% of our loses is many or a lot?

We have been "in" most of our games this year.

There are very few games that we have been handily or easily beaten. Michigan State and Indiana smoked us, but other games, we had a shot to beat those teams in those games.
 
#95      
40% of our loses is many or a lot?

Maybe splitting hairs here, but when you say not many that means just a couple, but then someone lists nearly half of our losses and you still try to make the argument. 40% of something is just a bit more than not many IMO.
 
#96      
Of course, we also have 5 wins by 5 points or fewer. 6 if you count the Rutgers game that we won by 9 in 3 OTs.

I've actually been happy with the team the last couple of games, but this team is where they belong in the standings.

And I also agree with you here; our record could be A LOT worse than it is.
 
#97      
The biggest difference was that the 98-99 team was healthy.

Sure. But they also didn't have two Juniors who many were expecting to get some sort of conference recognition either. They started a freshman SG at PG and played Freshmen all over the court. They had 1 senior who contributed fewer than 100 points on the season, and 2 juniors. The rest of that team was Freshmen and Sophomores. Very different in my opinion.

Edit: this is the wrong thread for this. I'll stop now.
 
#98      

Govoner Vaugn Fan

New Orleans
1. JCL's a tremendous 3-point shooter. Just gotta take the next step now and develop the ability to put the ball on the floor. That'll be next offseason's project.

2. MM had another solid offensive outing. He just had no help whatsoever on the defensive glass.

3. Can't win giving up so many offensive boards. Hoping we see MF and MM play more together like they did at MN.

4. KN was off all game. Poor shot selection and didn't play with much energy. The injury, new fatherhood, a draining 3-OT win at RU and ?? were a bad mix.

5. MH was OK today, but he struggles against more athletic frontlines like MSU and Iowa.

6. Our PG production again was nearly nonexistent. Two combined points from KL and JT, and KL's propensity for missing easy shots and taking the occasional ill-advised shot is frustrating.

7. Iowa has good talent but great team chemistry. They have a nice mix of talent in the starting lineup with wings who can shoot from 3 and drive, good big men who can post up and crash the boards and quickness, savvy and good handles in the backcourt. This has to be McCaffrey's best coaching job because I don't think this is close to the most talented team in the country, though it's now one of the best.

8. DJW had his best showing as an Illini IMHO. He has something that we sorely lack: a nice combo of length and athleticism. He played 15 mins today. Hope that trend continues.

9. We never seemed like a serious threat to Iowa today for obvious reasons, but the guys continued to fight till the last couple of minutes. On to NW, where despite our injuries we seem to have plenty of talent to snag a win in Evanston. But it won't happen unless KN rights his ship and put together a more concerted effort on D and the boards. We'll also need MH to play well offensively. We have six days between games, so that'll give time for MF, KN and others to rest up and heal up for this one and for the staff to put together a game plan for slowing down McIntosh and Demps. Fortunately we seem to match up pretty well with the Cats. They aren't a dominant inside team like Iowa. Hopefully we come away with a W to give the program a bright spot in a disappointing season. Go Illini!

Thanks!! I needed that.
 
#100      
It reminds me of the 1998-99 season when they went 14-18. They were in a lot of games but didn't have enough to get over the hump and win many of them. We (fans) knew that next year with the guys we had coming back and the people coming in we were going to be much better. They went 22-10 the next year.
The parallel with this year is I think with the guys returning and the guys coming in (and back from injuries) we will be better. But I'm an optimist, so obviously I don't belong on this board. :D

I think having some McDAA's lined up also contributed to the sense of optimism.